INDEPENDENT LEBANON

The history of Lebanon during the 1943-76 period was dominated by
prominent family networks and patron-client relationships. Each
sectarian community had its prominent family: the Khuris, Shamuns,
Shihabs, Franjiyahs, and Jumayyils for the Maronites; the Sulhs,
Karamis, and Yafis for the Sunnis; the Jumblatts, Yazbaks, and Arslans
for the Druzes; and the Asads and Hamadahs for the Shias.

The Khuri Era, 1943-52

Lebanon's first president after independence was Bishara al Khuri,
elected in 1943 for a six-year term; reelected in 1949 for a second
term, he became increasingly imperial in his actions. According to his
opponents, his regime was characterized by a narrow political structure
supported by a strictly sectarian framework, and it did little to
improve the economy.

In June 1952 an organization called the Social National Front (SNF)
was formed by nine deputies led by Kamal Jumblatt (also given as
Junblatt), head of the Progressive Socialist Party; Camille Shamun (also
given as Chamoun), former ambassador to Britain; Emile Bustani, a
self-made millionaire businessman; and other prominent personalities.
This front dedicated itself to radical reform, demanding that the
authorities end sectarianism and eradicate all abuses in the
governmental system. The SNF founders were encouraged by people claiming
to be dissatisfied with the favoritism and corruption thriving under the
Khuri regime.

On May 17, 1952, the front held a meeting at Dayr al Qamar, Shamun's
native town. The meeting was attended by about 50,000 people and turned
into a mass rally. The speakers criticized the regime and threatened
rebellion if the president did not resign. On July 23 the Phalange
Party, led by Pierre Jumayyil (also given as Gemayel), also voiced its
discontent with the regime. On September 11 the SNF called for a general
strike to force the president to resign; the appeal brought all
activities in the major cities to a standstill. This general strike is
sometimes referred to as the "Rosewater Revolution" because of
its nonviolence. President Khuri appealed to General Fuad Shihab (also
given as Chehab) the army chief of staff, to end the strike. However,
Shihab refused to become involved in what he considered a political
matter, and on September 18, Khuri finally resigned.